Triathlons are intense races that involve 3 stages, one of which is swimming. Instead of having 3 different outfits, triathlon wetsuits aim to give you everything you need in one suit. The best triathlon wetsuits will be flexible, meet the requirements for thickness, and allow you to not get overheated. There are many of these types of wetsuits out there of varying quality and cost. Here we will go over a wide range of them to help you understand which kind is going to work best for your specific needs.
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Best High-Quality Triathlon Wetsuit- ROKA Maverick Comp II Men’s Wetsuit for Swimming and Triathlons
The ROKA Maverick Comp II is the highest quality wetsuit using the best materials and craftsmanship. Of course, all this comes at a higher price than the other wetsuits on this list, but if you have a decent budget and are serious about triathlons, you should keep reading.
Features
- Super Composite Skin- The hydrophobic nano-coating helps to reduce drag which helps you move much faster through the water.
- Helps with Body Positioning- Because of the graduated buoyancy profile, your body will maintain proper positioning throughout the triathlon.
- High-Quality Premium Materials- The interior liners have been specially optimized for mechanics, support, comfort, stretch, and absorption. This suit uses the best available neoprene imported from Japan made by the Yamamoto Company.
- No Shoulder Restriction- This wetsuit has a patented ‘arms up’ construction which makes for zero shoulder restriction when in use.
- Centerline Buoyancy- ROKA has another patent on this suit for the centerline buoyancy which allows for faster side-to-side rotation while swimming in the wetsuit.
Pros
- The best possible materials make it last for years
- Easy to move in due to no shoulder restriction
- Able to move fast through the water
- Centerline buoyancy helps to stay balanced while swimming
Cons
- Expensive compared to other wetsuits on this list
Summary
The Roka Maverick Comp II is not a wetsuit that is going to appeal to everyone. The number one factor restricting this from being available to everyone is the price. Only people that are extremely serious about competing in triathlons will be attracted to this suit. For those who can afford this one, it has everything you could possibly want in a wetsuit. It has been meticulously designed for the rigors of competing in a triathlon. It is comfortable and will last for years to come, but it will set you back a nice chunk of change!
Best Overall Value for the Money- Synergy Triathlon Wetsuit – Men’s Synergy Endorphin Full Sleeve Smooth Skin Neoprene for Open Water Swimming Ironman Approved
The Synergy Triathlon Full Sleeve Smooth Skin Suit makes the list for the number one best overall value for the money in the triathlon wetsuit category. It has won the award for editor’s choice winner in Triathlete Magazine, which is high praise indeed. It is a full-body wetsuit with full sleeves and meets the thickness requirements for a triathlon suit. It is not the cheapest suit, but it is not as expensive as the ROKA model which made the best high-quality suit on our list.
Features
- USAT and Ironman Approved- It meets all the requirements for USAT and the Ironman specs as well. It is also endorsed by several athletes.
- Excellent Functionality- With 680% flexibility it is one of the most flexible in the category. It has high-grade anti-corrosion zippers. Comes with a soft low neck which is comfortable and makes it feel like you are not wearing anything on your neck.
- Technology- The neoprene is hydrodynamic meaning it has been tested to move gracefully through the water with minimal drag. It has 5mm thick neoprene in the core with even thinner arms at 2mm and the legs only 3mm. This makes the suit feel like part of your body.
- Buoyancy- This suit has 5mm buoyancy which is the maximum allowed for triathlon suits. This makes you move through the water faster as it aids you in floating on the water, taking some of the weight off your arms and legs.
- Guarantee- It comes with a 30-day guarantee where you can return if not satisfied. Additionally, it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- USAT and Ironman approved means it is legal to wear in any race
- Flexible- This is one of the most flexible suits available which helps you move faster
- Guaranteed- The company stands behind the product and it comes with a 2-year warranty
- High Tech- With great care taken in the design and high-quality materials used it is a high-performance suit.
Cons
- Not the most budget-friendly option available
Summary
This is the best value for money option for anyone who is serious about triathlons. If you are one of those people, you already expect to pay over a hundred bucks for a high-performance suit that meets the requirements of being a triathlon suit. This offers many of the same benefits as our highest quality pick, with a significant drop in the price. It may not be affordable for everyone, but for those that are already in the game, it is the best value for the money we could find.
Runner Up (Second Best) Value for the Money- Orca S7 Men’s Full sleeve USAT Approved Triathlon Wetsuit
This Orca S7 is almost as good as the Synergy above, but not quite as flexible and just a little bit less quality, but it is a close call. The Orca is an extremely well-made suit and will meet your needs if you are a serious athlete. It is another full sleeve model with many of the high-quality features you have come to expect in the over 200 bucks price bracket.
Features
- Uses Yamamoto neoprene, which is the industry leader in quality.
- Very flexible material with 513% flexibility (as opposed to over 600% above). This flexible material is a huge benefit in the range of motion you will experience while swimming.
- Uses SCS or super composite skin making it a smooth skin wetsuit that helps reduce drag and friction in the water.
- Has Hydrolite panels which help you to remove the wetsuit faster and change it into something else. This comes in handy in a triathlon when you want to put on pants or shorts.
- Uses special interior material called infinity skin which is comfortable and makes wearing the suit a good experience. This material also keeps heat in for longer and reduces body odor too.
Pros
- Extremely comfortable to wear and swim in
- Allows you to move fast through the water with super composite skin
- Hydrolite panels make removing and putting on the suit easy
- High-quality neoprene made by the Yamamoto company which is the leader in the industry
- Nearly as good as Synergy in almost every way except price
Cons
- Graphic design is not going to appeal to everyone
- Still a bit expensive
Summary
This Orca is an extremely well-made and high-quality professional-level wetsuit, it is just not quite as good as the Synergy, and it costs a little more too. However, every wet suit fits a little differently, and each person has their own taste and style. For these reasons it was worth including here even though it is not as good as Synergy. It is a close call, to be honest, these two suits are awfully close in quality, but the Synergy stretches more and has more pro features and endorsements. This may be perfect for you if it suits your taste and you can afford a few extra bucks more than Synergy.
Best Women’s Full Sleeve- Synergy Triathlon Wetsuit 5/3mm - Women's Endorphin Full Sleeve Smooth Skin Neoprene for Open Water Swimming Ironman & USAT Approved
The Synergy Full Sleeve Smooth Skinsuit is our pick for the best in the women’s category. It comes with a professional-level price tag, but with all the features you get, it is worth it. For any serious women triathletes, the cost of this suit is not going to come as a surprise. Suits of this caliber are expensive,